Library Gala; A HUGE THANK YOU

[Jeff Endress]

Observers
It's late. I'm exhausted. But yet, I cannot sleep. This once in a lifetime event keeps playing in my mind. There are so many to thank. So much hard work. So many hours to make this event the huge success it was.
This was, without question, the finest night I have ever been a party to in Lakewood. The HUGE support. The wonderful accolades of the the attendees. The MONUMENTAL success of the event, not only as a fund raiser for the the drive for public art, but also as a time when so many factets of this great community came together to celebrate and to once again proclaim the the vibrancy of this great city.

Those who had not yet seen our beautiful new edifice were awed. They understood that the Lakewood Public Library is so much more than a warehouse of books...it is the heart and soul of this great community. I am humbled by the experience. Particularly humbled by a 3800.00 bid for a meal served and prepared by the Foundation Board of Trustees....which it is my privilege to prepare. My thanks to all who came. My thanks who all who helped in the planning and execution. My thanks to the citizens of Lakewood who provided the funding to undertake this project.

I walked through the addition and discussed the what we have accomplished. It is truly remarkable. It is, truly beautiful. BUT, it is also only half done.

If what you saw on this magnificent evening of celebration was something that gave you pause, took your breathe away, or allowed you to feel the swell of pride that I feel, just wait until the other half is finished!

As beautiful, as striking and as monumental this new structure is, it is only a part of the whole. Just wait until The Spring. Lakewood you have every reason to be proud And I thank you for making it possible for this project to come to fruition.

Jeff

[Gary Rice]

Dad and I were pleased in every way with the beautiful facilities, and the wonderful people who have done so much to bring Lakewood together with such a magnificent community focal point.

I hesitate to start listing names, because so many people and corporate sponsors really made a difference with the future needs of the Lakewood community.

Still, thanks to Director Ken Warren, Dr. Tom Leatherman, and Julie Warren for making great music with Dad and I; in addition to keeping up with their many other responsibilities!

As well, thanks to you, Chef Geoff, for all of your behind-the-scenes help with turning all of those visionary plans into realities.

Thanks indeed, to everyone involved with the memorable evening last night!

'Twas fun beyond fun!

[David Lay]

Agreed! Photos of last night's bash are in my Photo Blog:

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... gala-62307

[Thomas J. George]

Observers,

Awesome Library Gala event last night.

Special thanks to the Lakewood Public Library Foundation Trustees...Lynn Foran, Tom Baker, Jeff Endress, Ken Warren, Shannon Strachan, Mary Anne Crampton and Lucy Sinagra for their efforts.

All Lakewood pulling together is dynamic.

A whole lotta Lakewood love last night!!

Mayor Tom George

[David Lay]

A whole lotta Lakewood love last night!!

Yes, there was! It made me proud and honored to live in Lakewood.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jeff

That was a great party for a great building.

Standing ovation for all that helped to plan this, and build this.

What you, the board, the friends, and the residents have pulled off is monumental in brand building.

Robert A. M. Stern is one of the top 5-10 architects in the world. A name that is searched for online of 1 million times a year. Other cities, businesses, students, those that are interested. Lakewood, and the Lakewood Public Library will now appear alongside his other buildings.

The same will happen with the Richard Haas murals. Haas often described as one of the top muralists in America and the world add to that brand.

This was a big night for Lakewood.

A good thing.

Thanks to all that moved this along.


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